The European Metropolis of Lille chooses Veolia to recover its waste for urban heating

The European Metropolis of Lille has entrusted Covalys - the dedicated joint venture created by Veolia (65%) and Idex (35%) - to operate the Antares energy recovery facility located in Halluin on the Franco-Belgian border. The heat generated by the treatment of household waste will supply two urban heating networks in Roubaix and Lille.

The energy recovery facility Antares will incinerate up to 350,000 tonnes / year of household waste collected in the metropolitan area in 3 high-temperature furnaces (850°C). It will produce 650 GWh / year of energy, equivalent to the heating requirements of 70,000 homes. 40% of the energy produced will directly supply the R-énergie and Résonor urban heating networks in Roubaix and Lille. Residents will thereby benefit from low-cost green energy.

The 19 km of pipeline connecting Antares to the heating networks in Roubaix and Lille will form one of the longest transport networks in France. Commissioning is planned for the end of 2020.

“The success of the service we provide for the European Metropolis of Lille demonstrates our capacity to offer municipalities new, efficient solutions that help them develop a local circular economy,” commented Bernard Harambillet, CEO Waste Solutions for Veolia in France.